The Many Bridges Built to Cross the Cedar River

The Many Bridges Built to Cross the Cedar River. . , Prior to bridges, anyone living north of Vinton had to cross the Red Cedar by boat to “come to town.” A ferry was established June, 1852 to help with cargo. The county judge established the rates for passage: Foot passenger 5¢; man, horse and vehicle 15¢; wagon and two horses 20¢; each additional horse 5¢; cattle 4¢ each; ship and hogs 3¢ each. In the wake of several ferry tragedies, pressure mounted for the construction of a bridge. , A. Brandon-Mt. Auburn Bridge , The Brandon-Mt. Auburn iron bridge was built in 1909 and was washed out in the spring flood of 1965. , B. First Vinton Bridge , After a few ferry tragedies, local businessmen formed the Vinton Bridge Company to build this toll bridge in 1857 for a cost of $8,000. Toll bridge fees were the same as the ferry. This bridge remained a toll until 1862. It was swept away in 1865. , C. Second Vinton Bridge , By 1865, the conditions of the "FREE" bridge had deteriorated and required a new bridge to be built on A Avenue for a cost of $13,500., D. Third Vinton Bridge , By 1876, the wooden bridge was once again pronounced unsafe, and a new iron bridge was constructed. This bridge was built by the Clinton Bridge Company for a total of $20,000. It stood for 59 years. , E. Third and Fourth Vinton , In this photo, you see Bridge No. 3 still standing in the backdrop as Bridge No. 4 is ready for dedication. , F. Fourth Vinton Bridge , Built by WPA in 1935 at a cost of $81,000, it was Vinton's first concrete bridge. , WPA was a program financed by Federal and State money which helped those unemployed at that time. , G. Fifth Vinton Bridge , In 1984, a new concrete bridge was built and as of 2016, is still in use. , H. and I. Urbana Bridge , circa 1877 , a year after the Vinton bridge. The man in Photo I is identified as Joe Schmitz.